Taunton woman makes the cut to play hockey in Winter Olympics in Sochi

Wednesday

Jan 1, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 1, 2014 at 1:20 AM

A Taunton woman made the final cut to play on the U.S. women’s ice hockey team during the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Michelle Picard, 20, was one of 21 players on the United States women’s hockey team who were introduced live on national television before an audience of 100,000 at The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, during the second intermission of the NHL’s Winter Classic on Wednesday.

Marc Larocque

A Taunton woman made the final cut to play on the U.S. women’s ice hockey team during the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Michelle Picard, 20, was one of 21 players on the United States women’s hockey team who were introduced live on national television before an audience of 100,000 at The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, during the second intermission of the NHL’s Winter Classic on Wednesday.

“It’s a dream come true, definitely,” said Picard, reached by phone for an interview from Michigan Wednesday night. “It’s really exciting. Today was just awesome. Being with my team, getting to watch those teams — there are no words to describe how cool.”

Picard could be seen smiling among her teammates who were lined up before the crowd of Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Picard survived a final cut of two players announced on Wednesday, after training with the team since a tryout camp held last June in Lake Placid, where there were originally 41 candidates vying make the squad.

“My teammates are awesome,” Picard said. “We have a lot of different characters on the team which makes it a lot of fun. All veterans helping the younger players. We’ve definitely meshed together well.”

Picard said she was overwhelmed with the outpouring of support she received after the announcement from people from the Taunton area and those who helped her along the way. She said she actually found out she made the team on Dec. 20, but was told to keep it under wraps to make Wednesday’s ceremony special.

“I didn’t realize what impact it had until I told my family, the reaction I got today is incredible,” she said. “All these people, friends, family, coaches played a part in this. It’s great to share it and I just want them to know they are a huge part of me making this team.”

Back at home, Picard’s family reacted with joy and relief after finding out that she accomplished her goal of playing in the Olympics wearing the red, white and blue.

“It’s pretty amazing,” said her mother, Linda Picard. “It’s a long haul, a lot of dedication and a lot of work. That’s what she wanted.”

The Picards, along with friends and family, gathered at a local restaurant to watch together as the women’s U.S. hockey team was introduced.

“I am extremely proud of her,” said her older brother, Tim Picard, who grew up playing hockey in Taunton and helped teach his sister the ropes at an early age. “To be able to see all her hard work and dedication pay off is incredible. It’s still quite surreal. She definitely took and continues to take the initiative to become the best hockey player she can be.”

Picard, one of several players on the team from Massachusetts, wears the number 23 for Team USA. Picard, who got her start in the rinks around Taunton, is a defensive player and attends Harvard University, where she plays for the Crimson women’s hockey team. But this year, her focus has been squarely on Olympic hockey.

Picard’s family said they are already making plans see her perform live in Russia during the Olympics.

“Words really can’t describe how excited we are,” Tim Picard said. “Like I said earlier, it’s still very surreal and yes, we will be going to Sochi to cheer Michelle on.”

The elder Picard sibling recalled the many memories he made playing hockey with his sister around the house, and with his sister coming along to the hockey rink and beginning to play herself. In the end, Michelle Picard has been propelled by a simple love for the game, her brother said.

“It is something she truly loves,” he said. “She might have grown up in the rinks because of me, but her love and dedication for the game has gotten her to where is today.”

Picard’s father, who like his son was wearing a USA jersey during the announcement celebration, agreed.

“We’re very proud,” said Roger Picard. “It was awesome. Ever since she was a kid she’s been a very good hockey player. Right from time when she was young, people used to tell us she was going to make the Olympic team someday. … It’s a dream of a lifetime.”

Picard has also won several medals with the U.S. U-18 youth national team, including a gold medal at the World Championships in 2011.

Picard said during her youth experience with the national program she has traveled to play in Canada, Finland, Sweden and Slovakia, but never Russia. But Picard said she and her teammates are ready for Sochi.

“Yeah, I like our chances,” said Picard, when asked if she and the team will win the gold medal. “We are working really hard. We have great competition ahead. I’ll be ready for it.”

The women of Team USA hockey will play next on Feb. 8 against Finland in the team’s inaugural game of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The U.S. women’s hockey team is working to claim the gold for the first time since winning it 1998, when women’s hockey was first introduced at the Winter Olympics.